10 Tips for the Perfect BBQ

 

Casual get-togethers with family and friends and enjoying a bbq dinner outdoors when the sun’s out. What’s more Kiwi than that?

Cooking al fresco and enjoying the long warm evenings is what our laid-back lifestyle is all about. Many New Zealanders are self-proclaimed grill masters but here at Cedar Works NZ, we know the perfect BBQ is both an art and a science. There’s a lot more to barbecuing than simply firing up the grill and throwing some meat on it.

With these 10 Tips, you are sure to impress your guests and host the prefect BBQ.

1. Choose the right fuel for the BBQ

The most common types of grills are gas, charcoal and electric. Which one is best for your needs depends on the space you have available as well as your personal preference. At our home, we grill on CedarWorks grilling planks over charcoal on our trusted Weber. There are plenty of benefits to gain from cooking on a high-quality charcoal grill, but the main one is flavour. The smoky, tender taste you get from grilling over charcoal just can’t be achieved as easily with electric of gas. There’s no need for gas bottles and extension cords either! But if you do have an electric of gas barbie, or even if you only have an oven to work with, you can still get that lovely smoky flavour in your meals. How? With our gourmet grilling planks and wraps!

2. Prep like a Pro

For the perfect BBQ, preparation is key. Being well prepared makes cooking easier and your party so much more enjoyable – for you. First, make sure the grill is clean and that you have all the fuel you need. If you’re cooking on flames, it will take about 30 minutes for the grill to get to the right temperature so don’t leave it to the last minute to get started. Have your meat and veggies ready to cook on separate trays, plus some clean trays for the meat to rest on after grilling. Have all the plates and cutlery for everyone at hand and prep all your side dishes, condiments, and sauces in advance.

Don’t forget to set up your outdoor area with enough seating and lights, so you and your guests can relax and be comfortable all evening long. That includes a chilly bin full of ice for the drinks and insect repellent and/or citronella candles to keep pesky bugs at bay.  Before you throw your next outdoor party, make sure you have stocked up on BBQ fuel. Nothing takes the sizzle out of a barbie like having to dash out two minutes after firing up the grill to get more.

3. Use the best BBQ tools

If you’re serious about grilling, it’s essential to invest in the right BBQ tools. Heavy-duty stainless steel tongs, a fork and a spatula as well as a good BBQ brush and scraper are a must for the ultimate backyard barbecue. You can add a grilling basket, basting brush, grilling gloves, skewers and a rotisserie to the arsenal if you wish. We also recommend you get a meat thermometer, so you know exactly when your food is cooked to perfection. If you use a charcoal grill like we do, a chimney starter to heat up the coals is also handy to have. When you’ve got your tools sorted and you’re looking for that amazing smoky flavour and a way to really impress your guests, read on!

4. Use Grilling Planks & Wraps on your BBQ

Any barbecue gets better with Cedar Works NZ grilling planks and wraps. They are 100% natural and free of any chemical treatment, manufactured right here in New Zealand. The grilling planks are available in 4 different sizes as well as a 4  piece gift set. The grilling wraps are perfect for single servings and the best you can get if you want to score points for both flavour and presentation. Shop for yours now or buy them from your nearest shop that stocks our products.

5. Marinades and Seasoning

Seasoning makes meat and veg taste so much better, especially when combined with the smoky flavour that a Canadian Western Red Cedar gourmet grilling plank provides. Marinating your meats adds tasty flavours and tenderises the meat. Some of our favourites are a chermoula paste for chicken or fish, Jamaican jerk sauce for steak, a yummy chilli marinade for prawns and a beautiful oregano marinade for lamb.

You can marinade your veggies, too. If you prefer, you can use a well-balanced herb spice rub or a simple mix of salt, pepper, and garlic powder. One more tip for marinating meats – a successful marinade has the right balance of oil, seasonings and something acidic such as lemon juice or vinegar. With just a few pantry staples, you can add a huge flavour boost to otherwise ordinary-tasting meats and vegetables.

6. That unbeatable smoky flavour

A sure characteristic of barbecued food is the unique char it develops. No one enjoys a completely burnt piece of meat (take note all you self-proclaimed grill masters), but a bit of char makes meat and veg taste so much more magical. Cooking over the direct heat of your barbecue allows you to add just the amount of char to match your taste.

The quintessential barbecue flavour is smokiness. Cooking over charcoal involves plenty of smoke and even on a gas grill, melting fats will drip onto the heat source and produce smoke. As smoke swirls around the barbecue, the food will absorb its delicious flavours. Our Cedar wood grilling planks allow seafood, meat, chicken and vegetables to roast slowly, basting in their own juices and create a subtle, beautiful smoky flavour. There’s no need to add fat or oil as the moisture from the plank keeps your food juicy and flavourful.

7. Utilise two-zone cooking

When grilling and smoking on a charcoal, gas, or electric grill, you are not restricted to cooking strictly over direct heat. If you want to avoid overcooked or undercooked food and really up your barbecue game, you should learn about the two-zone cooking method. For a two-zone setup, you simply divide your grill into two separate areas. One side of the grill is your high, direct heat source zone while the other side is clear of any charcoal or active burners. On the direct heat side, you can sear the meat and get good caramelisation. On the indirect side, you can smoke and cook the meat to juicy, tender perfection by cooking it low and slow.

8. Don’t forget the veggies!

Every meal needs vegetables so don’t let the veggies become an afterthought when you are hosting a BBQ. Vegetables from the barbecue are simply delicious. Grilling allows capsicums, zucchini, asparagus, tomatoes, broccolini and other fresh veggies to caramelise beautifully, so you and your guests can enjoy their subtle sweetness and stunning flavour.
Cedar grilling planks and wraps are perfect for grilling delicate vegetables. From simple grilled veggie kebabs to scrumptious portobello mushrooms and from vegan tofu with mango salsa to cedar wrapped vegetable bouquets, the possibilities are literally endless.

9. Impress with sides and sauces

Believe it or not, the perfect BBQ is not just about the meat! When it comes to sides and sauces, your creativity can go well beyond the classic coleslaw, devilled eggs, and corn on the cob. Pack a punch next time you’re hosting with generous servings of fresh summer salads, inspired potato dishes, artisan breads and mouth-watering dips and sauces. There’s nothing quite like homemade sides and sauces at a barbecue to get your guests excited and sending their compliments to the chef!

10. Rest, plate and enjoy

Aside from over or under cooking and a lack of seasoning, not resting meat properly is arguably the cooking blunder we are all guilty of. All meat needs to rest for a few minutes after it’s been cooked, not just steaks. After cooking and before slicing and serving, meat should be allowed to rest undisturbed. Resting allows the juices, which have been driven to the centre of the meat, to redistribute throughout and be reabsorbed. As a result, the meat will be far more tender and juicier to eat. Just be patient. Your tastebuds will thank you for it.

We eat with our eyes or, to be more accurate, we eat with our senses: how we enjoy our food depends on what we see, smell, and feel. You’ve got the taste and smokiness sorted, now pay attention to the presentation and you’re in for the win. Grilling wraps can lift your food presentation skills to the next level, after having already revealed an infusion of smoky goodness to your favourite seafood, meats, cheeses, vegetables or even fruit.

Need some fresh ideas?

As for what to cook on your BBQ, get creative and think beyond burgers, steaks and snags! Check out our extensive recipes section for inspiration. If you haven’t cooked with grilling planks or wraps before, we invite you to try it as there’s nothing quite like it. Check our FAQ section for answers to any questions you may have, or feel free to get in touch with the team or join our socials if you want more information. Happy grilling everyone!

With greetings from the winterless North, Warren & Jenny.